Bar threatens legal action over university top-up fees

ACCESS: Law Society launches scheme to help A-level students

The chairman of the Bar has launched a scathing attack on the government's plans to allow universities to charge students top-up fees and threatened possible legal action.

Matthias Kelly QC warned that the scheme will stop students from poorer backgrounds pursuing a career in the law and affect the profession and bench's diversity.

He said: 'Leading universities will charge the maximum fees, and while affluent students and their families will not think twice of paying, poorer families - including a disproportionate number from ethnic minority backgrounds - will not want to see their children saddled with debt if there is a cheap and cheerful option down the road.

'We will be examining whether in law what ministers are proposing could constitute indirect discrimination under race discrimination legislation, and this may be open to challenge in the courts if it becomes law.'

A Law Society spokesman said: 'We are concerned about the level of debt facing many students pursuing legal careers.

It is an obstacle as we try to encourage a broader cross-section of society to consider law as a career.'

The Society will also this week launch an initiative to encourage wider access to the profession for students from diverse backgrounds.

The scheme, 'Young graduates for lawyers', will involve 38 A-level students from non-traditional backgrounds who want to become lawyers.

In partnership with training company Global Graduates, they will be given advice and training in the skills needed to become a lawyer.

Once the scheme ends, the students' path through higher education and their success in finding training contracts will be mapped.

Victoria MacCallum